Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Seeing that Shao Qin wasn't going to speak up for her, Mia had no choice but to reply softly, "It's my fault. My scores back then were only enough to get into a private junior college, but the tuition was so expensive that my family couldn't afford it."

I found this reason a bit hard to believe. I couldn't help but wonder if her family favored sons over daughters—maybe they wouldn't let her continue her studies and forced her to work early to support her younger brothers. So I asked again, "Then why didn't you retake the college entrance exam? Retaking wouldn't cost much. Without a degree, it's really hard to find a good job in society."

"I didn't want to retake it myself," Mia said. "Our family's financial situation wasn't good, and I have a twin sister. That year, she got into a top university in City L. Living expenses in big cities are high, so I was worried she wouldn't have enough money. I also didn't want my parents to work so hard, so I went out to work to help support the family a little."

Hearing her say this, I couldn't help but think of the days when I took care of Shao Qin alone.

Our parents had a deep and unbreakable bond, but when my mother gave birth to Shao Qin, she suddenly suffered from amniotic fluid embolism and passed away. Because of this, my father always disliked Shao Qin, seeing him as the one who killed his mother. He even once wanted to abandon him.

At the age of seven, I held the infant Shao Qin in my arms and begged my father to keep him. I had hated Shao Qin too, thinking he was the reason our family was torn apart. But no matter what, he was still the blood of our mother—my own younger brother. With my care and protection, my father finally agreed to keep Shao Qin. When we were little, he would always follow behind me, calling "Sis, Sis"—he was so adorable.

When I was 15, my father started training me to take over the company's affairs. Perhaps I had inherited his business acumen, as I picked things up quickly. By the time I was 19, I could already handle business matters independently. In front of the board of directors, my father transferred all his shares to me. Later, he held my mother's portrait and chose to take sleeping pills to end his life.

After my father passed away, Lawyer Wilson—his most trusted advisor—came to me and presented the will my father had long ago prepared. He had transferred all his assets to my name, leaving not a single cent to Shao Qin.

Twelve years had passed, and even until his death, my father had never let go of his grudge or forgiven Shao Qin. In front of the mourning hall, I held the young Shao Qin in my arms. He looked so pitiful and helpless. He asked me, "Sis, will you leave me? Will you hate me?"

I stroked his head and comforted him, "No, Sis will never leave you."

After that, I had to manage the company, go to school, and take care of Shao Qin's studies and emotions all at the same time.

So upon hearing Mia's story, I couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for her. However, hearing was not believing—I still needed to go to her home and see the situation for myself. I said to both of them, "Once I finish arranging the company's affairs, let's go to Mia's hometown in a couple of days to meet her parents."

Shawn happily hugged Mia and excitedly asked me, "Sis, can Mia stay at our house during this time?"

Mia also looked at me shyly. Although they were head over heels in love, I still shook my head, "Only after we meet your parents and get engaged. Otherwise, it won't sound good if word gets out that an unmarried girl is living at her boyfriend's house."

I could clearly see Shao Qin's disappointment, and I also 敏锐 ly noticed the dissatisfaction in Mia's eyes. It flashed by in an instant, but after more than ten years in the business world, how could I miss the little thoughts and emotions of those around me?

Was this little girl putting on a double act for me?

I didn't object to Shao Qin marrying an ordinary girl—this was his freedom of choice, and I had no right to interfere. But if the other person had ulterior motives, then that was out of the question.

Once I wrapped up the company's work, I asked Mia to lead the way to her hometown. Her hometown was a small county town. Although it didn't have the prosperity and glitz of the city, it had more warmth and bustle than big cities.